VILLA-LOBOS: “BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS,” NOS. 1, 5, 7....

VILLA-LOBOS: “BACHIANAS BRASILEIRAS,” NOS. 1, 5, 7. Barbara Hendricks, soprano; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Enrique Batiz. Angel DS-38334 (digital). Hendricks’ slender soprano eases its way through No. 5 with silken elegance, although a tendency to scooping and a mechanical approach to the Portuguese texts blur the stamp of distinction. Batiz’s slick conducting here and in the other two Bach-inspired suites skates over the scores’ contrapuntal fabric. The glossy, homogeneous sound neatly emasculates the pungent, eight-cello consort in No. 5.